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Knit Along With Debbie Macomber: Charity

by 4 Comments

New, and just released! Knit Along With Debbie Macomber: Charity.

Best-selling author and avid knitter Debbie Macomber wants you to know that your knitting can make a difference! Her Charity Guide for Knitters will acquaint you with exciting ways your hobby can bring comfort and dignity to individuals in need. Eighteen easy-to-intermediate patterns are included for knit blankets, sweaters, socks, hats, mittens, slippers, vests, and a helmet liner.
Featured national charities include Binky Patrol, Children in Common, Christmas at Sea, Newborns in Need, Operation Helmet Liner, Phillip’s Wish, Project Linus, Santa Train, Snuggles Project, Warm Up America!, and Warm Woolies. Tips are also given for helping local chemotherapy patients, nursing home residents, and prison ministries.

Available from Leisure Arts,

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Comments

  1. Thank you so much for mentioning us on your blog and in your book! We are so excited to be part of your project.

    We’re linking to your book and hopefully we can help you get more sales.

  2. i just wanted to second that this is a rgeat book! i am lucky enough to live down the road from her yarn shop and when i went in to pick up yarn yesterday found i was one of the lucky anniversary door prizes..this book was in the prize baggie! lots of info and ideas as well as patterns!

  3. I am surprised that Debbie Macomber has made the Warm Up America project an opportunity for her own profit by publishing a book that we all HAVE TO BUY — is she donating a percentage of her sales profit to the Warm Up Project? to Charity?
    True, we do not ‘have to buy’ this book — there are plenty of patterns stored in our own brains that we can recall and put into a square for charity afghans.

    If this were truly charity knitting, then why is this book not offered online on a free downloadable format??

    And if I have missed an important aspect of Macomber’s offering to the knitting community, that relates to donating her skill and talent, please post a reply here. Enlighten me and perhaps many others.

    Thanks —

  4. I can’t answer your question about how much of the book profits are donated to charity, however, I do work closely with another group who sells a book for charity. In that instance, yes, 100% of the profits of the book are used to fund that charity. I would imagine that Debby’s is also similar.

Have you read?

Book Review: Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit & Crochet Blankets

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four. 

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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